DUI’s in the South Carolina

Many factors will play into cost when you get South Carolina car insurance quotes, but one of the most important is the insured’s personal driving history and especially their driving record. Of course, it is best to have no moving violations at all and usually that is calculated over a three-year period. And it looks really good if you have had no claims in your history at all.

But this piece is about driving under the influence. One third of all traffic deaths happen in an accident in which someone is impaired. Someone dies in a vehicle accident involving a substance impaired driver every 51 minutes.. That is about 30 people a day and in a year’s time adds up to more than 10,000 people. Almost 250 children alone die in crashes that involve alcohol. What a waste.

The human cost to society is huge. Such crashes that cost combined with the rest of the industry, some $59 billion a year.

It’s younger drivers that account for most of these accidents. Drivers aged 21-24 were responsible for nearly a third. The next age group—up to age 37—accounted for nearly as much. Driving under the influence is still a big problem, despite public service campaigns against it.

The legal limit is 0.08 and how many drinks that takes depends on many factors, including your body weight, what you have had to eat and when, how quickly you metabolize alcohol and so many other smaller factors. So the idea that one drink can’t possibly influence your driving may not be true—especially if you are a slight person drinking on an empty stomach.

Here’s what you can do to prevent driving under the influence:

Don’t drink and drive. Always have a designated driver who doesn’t drink with you or call someone for a ride.

Friends really do not let friends drive drunk. If you even suspect a friend of having too much to drink, do not let them get behind a wheel. Take their keys, even if it creates a scene.

If you are out drinking alternate alcoholic beverages with soft drinks or water.

If you are the host of a party be sure you have a good selection of non-alcoholic drinks available and plenty of food—preferably high protein-on hand. And keep your eye out for guests who may be too drunk to drive. Don’t let them.